Maury County school board rejects Hillsdale-affiliated charter application for the second time. Now it could appeal to the state.

Maury County’s school board has voted down a controversial charter school for the second time. On Thursday, the board narrowly rejected an amended application from American Classical Academy, associated with the Christian, conservative Hillsdale College.

Many people in favor of opening the charter school argued that it would guarantee local oversight. If American Classical Education appeals to the Tennessee Public Charter School Commission and wins, that body could be in charge the school rather than the Maury County school board.

Jerry Bridenbaugh is a Maury County commissioner. He shared his concerns as an individual community member during public comment.

“I don’t want to disparage the state, but we all know there’s 95 counties in this state,” he said. “And that is a broad area to take a look at and keep track of.”

School board member Marlina Ervin voted against the charter. She noted that most charter schools that appealed to the state commission last year were not approved.

“If that’s what happens, that’s what happens. But you don’t make a decision based upon fear. You make a decision based upon principle,” Ervin said.

Even if the state’s commission does approve a charter school on appeal, the local school board still has an opportunity to maintain oversight. Charter schools and school boards have 30 days to reach an agreement after the commission’s vote.

One public commenter compared the proposed charter school to buying the first year model of a new car. He said he had purchased a car like that in 2013, despite his wife’s warnings. He said he ended up having to rebuild the transmission and replace the engine after the warranty elapsed.

“So what I’m suggesting is, maybe it might be a good idea to wait and see what happens in Rutherford County … before we take the plunge.”

Rutherford County’s school board approved an American Classical Academy earlier this year, largely because of the growth in the area’s school population. That’s despite its local review committee finding that the school doesn’t meet the standards outlined in a state rubric.

Opponents of the school in Maury County say there are holes in its plans to provide transportation and food, among other issues. Others criticize its curriculum, which they say whitewashes history and doesn’t align with Tennessee standards.

Meanwhile, supporters say it would offer additional seats for the growing county and a different educational model.

The Maury County Public Schools board voted 6-5 to reject the charter’s amended application.

Where does ACE stand?

Similar debates have been unfolding across Tennessee. American Classical Education submitted five applications this year to open schools in Madison, Maury, Montgomery, Robertson and Rutherford counties. Four out of five school boards rejected the applications, with Rutherford County being the exception. Here’s the status of each application:

• Jackson-Madison County Schools: ACE’s application was rejected a second time by the local school board. The group has filed an appeal with the state’s charter commission.
• Maury County Public Schools: ACE’s application was rejected a second time by the local school board. ACE did not immediately respond to a question about whether it plans to ask the state commission to overturn the Maury County decision. It must do so within 10 days of the rejection in order for the commission to accept the appeal.
• Clarksville-Montgomery County School System: The board rejected the application in April. ACE did not submit an appeal, according to the district.
• Robertson County Schools: The board rejected the application in April. ACE did not submit an appeal, according to the district.
• Rutherford County Schools: The board approved ACE’s application. The school’s website says it plans to open in Fall 2024.